Think second-hand means second-best? Think again. Whether you're hunting for a bargain, decluttering your home or looking for ways to reduce waste, Second Hand September is a chance to see preloved things differently. From shopping second-hand and donating unwanted items to repairing, borrowing and sharing, Aucklanders have plenty of opportunities to give good things a longer life.
1. Choose second-hand before buying new
CDs, books, vinyl and so much more await you at one of the many great community recycling centres across the region including Devonport CRC as featured in this image.
Before heading to the shops, check whether you can find what you need second-hand. Clothing, furniture, books, sports equipment, tools and household items can often be found in excellent condition for a fraction of the price of buying new.
Buy from trusted online sellers, or check out local reuse or flea markets, like the central city ReUse Market in Victoria Street Carpark on the second Sunday of every month.
Browse thrift stores or visit a Reuse Shop at your local community recycling centre (CRC), where you can shop for preloved treasures and donate reusable items all in one trip, which brings us to…
2. Donate quality items you no longer need
Whether you're dropping off items to be given to a new home, or leaving with some new preowned goodies your local CRC, like Waiuku CRC, has you sorted!
If something is still useful but no longer useful to you, consider donating it instead of throwing it away. Your unwanted items could become someone else's bargain find while helping keep valuable resources out of landfill.
You can:
- Donate items to family and friends
- Drop off items at your local community recycling centre or op shop – some places will even pick up items.
- Book your property’s annual inorganic collection in advance. Did you know that more than a quarter of items from inorganic collections are now reused or upcycled?
3. Repair instead of replace
Instead of throwing your items away to landfill, why not learn how to fix your item and give it new life!
A loose button, faulty toaster or damaged bike doesn't always mean the end of an item's life. Repairing can save money, reduce waste and help build practical skills. It can also be a great way to connect with others through community repair events and workshops.
The Aotearoa New Zealand Repair Festival 2026 is running this month until 25 September with repair events and activities all across Auckland.
Regular repair cafes and mending circles also take place every month throughout the year, such as the DEANZ repair cafe at the Te Atatū South Community Hub and the Repair Café at the Central City Library.
4. Swap, borrow or share
Not everything needs to be owned. Consider borrowing tools you'll only use once, swapping clothing with friends, or sharing items within your community. Sharing makes better use of resources while often saving money and storage space.
Instead of buying a tool you'll only use occasionally, join the Auckland Library of Tools and borrow from more than 1,600 tools covering DIY, gardening, cooking, sewing and more.
Some of our community recycling centres, such as Waiuku CRC operate their own library of tools and Anamata CRC on Aotea/Great Barrier Island with its Library of Things has everything from tools and kitchen equipment to camping gear, and event supplies to borrow.
5. Learn to service and maintain
Come down to your local hub to find what could be your next two wheeled spectacle.
A little care can go a long way. Whether it's fixing a loose hinge, sharpening garden tools or servicing your bike, basic maintenance can help extend the life of the things you already own. Learning simple service and care skills can save money and help keep useful items out of landfill for longer.
Many repair cafés offer opportunities to learn how to service or maintain items.
You can get help servicing your own bike at one of 12 Bike Hubs across Auckland, supported by Auckland Transport or sign up for one of their bike maintenance workshops to learn how to maintain your bikes and do simple repairs.